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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel hurt that my lovely dog licking someone caused such distress.

637 replies

sweetgrape · 21/06/2015 14:12

He's just a big affectionate softy, the only trouble is he thinks everyone loves him. We went for our walk this morning in the park and sat down on a bench for a rest. We'd only been sat down a minute or so and this woman sits down next to me. We were just chatting about the weather when all of a sudden she jumped up shrieking, "ahhh the dog just licked my leg"
Now I know not everyone loves dogs but i thought it was a bit of an over reaction. I did apologise but I felt kind of sorry for my dog, who seemed to have a bit of a hurt look on his face. Wabu to have felt sorry for my dog or should I have felt more sorry for the woman?

OP posts:
iamadaftcoo · 21/06/2015 22:22

Look however well you train your dogs at the end of the day they are still dogs. If you sit next to one they might lick you. I don't particularly like screaming children - I work in South kensington near the museums so there are lots of the. - but I would dream of huffing and puffing at their parents. I choose to work there after all. If I want peace and quiet I go elsewhere.

Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake · 21/06/2015 22:24

Huftys do you really like smoking babies??

usualsuspect333 · 21/06/2015 22:26

You like smoking babies? Shock

carrotsmakeamessofyourcurtains · 21/06/2015 22:27

I have an aunt like your sil iamadaftcoo. A dog comes near her and she is immediately snooty and precious, announcing to anyone who'll listen to her "I don't like dogs"!

I don't talk to her. It takes all the stress out of being around her and pisses her off like there's no tomorrow.

stargazer2030 · 21/06/2015 22:37

If she was that bothered about dogs she shouldn't have sat next to you. If i was sat chatting to someone with a dog I would expect it to come up for a fuss - it didn't jump up n lick her face for goodness sake. It hardly sounds like you had an out of control dog in a public place as some posters are implying.

Original poster
sweetgrape · 21/06/2015 22:42

The woman wasn't acting like a stranger. She sat down next to me and started chatting like she'd known me for ages. She commented on Barney and Barney gave her ankle a little lick. He probably thought she was a friend the way she just plonked down next to me. I'm amazed at someone not knowing that dogs lick. Sometimes they bark too. Shock

OP posts:
iamadaftcoo · 21/06/2015 22:43

Carrots - it's infuriating isn't it!

reni1 · 21/06/2015 22:49

I know about the barking, sweet. I simply have little dog contact and have never been licked by one. Shall keep my ankles tucked away, though the chances seem remote, having made it into my fourth decade without dog licks.

mummytime · 22/06/2015 06:52

Okay - just for all you "dog lovers", a question:
What would your reaction be to: I was out with my two year old DC, we had a little rest on a bench, and a lady came and sat next to me. We chatted nicely, then my two year old ran over, jumped up next to her and gave her a huge hug and a kiss. The lady then freaked out.

CoogerAndDark · 22/06/2015 07:03

I'd think the ldy was being an over sensitive,dramatic arse. Just like the one the OP met.

Floisme · 22/06/2015 07:06

mummytime I don't think that's a very good analogy. Toddlers are not, as a rule, known to lick their own arses or eat shit.

mummytime · 22/06/2015 07:24

Floisme - but if a parent did post that in AIBU - they would be told they should keep their child under control.

As to why did the lady sit on the bench when there was a dog walker there. was there any alternative benches? And how near?
Maybe she has a health issue so needed to sit down.
Or maybe she is trying to overcome a fear of dogs - only to have it re-enforced.

londonrach · 22/06/2015 07:33

Mummy id be worried re the toddler doing that and having a little talk in. Carefully chosen words about it as you cant have toddler kissing everyone in the street!

Floisme · 22/06/2015 07:33

mummytime Ah I see - sorry, I misread your post!

wibbleywee · 22/06/2015 07:43

I loathe dogs and would be horrified if one licked me, you are being VERY unreasonable and quite frankly ridiculous to be upset, i would avoid it if possible but if I did have to sit next to you on a bench I would expect your dog to be kept well away from me. When will dog owners start to understand that not everyone likes your pets!!

Pandora37 · 22/06/2015 08:12

The OP has already said there were lots of other benches around. This woman CHOSE to sit next to the dog. If she really had a fear of dogs, then she shouldn't be sitting next to a springer spaniel who are well known for being very affectionate and a bit mental (sorry OP but all the springer spaniels I've known, whilst lovely, are hyperactive and bonkers Grin).

There are some dog breeds that I'm wary of and as I only really have experience with small dogs there are some large dogs that I feel scared of so if I'm in a park, I avoid them.

Costacoffeeplease · 22/06/2015 08:13

I think op explained earlier that there were lots of other benches nearby where she could have sat down

Costacoffeeplease · 22/06/2015 08:15

Cross post!

And if you're trying to overcome a fear of dogs, wouldn't you explain to the dog owner and ask if their dog was suitable/friendly? Not just plonk yourself down and start chatting away

I see the hysteria is just as present on a Monday morning as a Sunday evening

LondonRocks · 22/06/2015 08:16

Don't care how lovely and sweet anyone's dog is, I don't want their shit breath or paws on me! Why people think it's cute to be slobbered on is beyond me.

LondonRocks · 22/06/2015 08:18

Mummytime, toddlers generally don't eat shit, lick their arses (or anyone else's)...

IKnowIAmButWhatAreYou · 22/06/2015 08:52

Hahahahahahaha Grin

AIBU at it's finest.

A more sorry and miserable collection of twatbuckets you'd be harder put to find!!

Sit within licking range of any animal & you're setting yourself up for a lick!!

Sit within licking distance of me & you're fair game TBH.

The only thing you did wrong OP was to give this miserable bunch something to bang on and on and on about whilst pursing their lips & frowning......

iamadaftcoo · 22/06/2015 09:06

Don't care how lovely and sweet anyone's dog is, I don't want their shit breath or paws on me!

Yes fine but then don't sit on a bench next to one!

hmc · 22/06/2015 09:12

Haven't read whole thread since it is somewhat repetitive.... but I am with you OP. I don't train my dog not to lick because quite frankly I don't mind it. Consequently he can't be expected to know that it is okay to lick me but not other people. However he wouldn't licked a stranger unless they were petting him or if the plonked themselves right next to him and struck up a conversation with me - much like that lady did in your encounter.

hmc · 22/06/2015 09:14

Loving your work IKnowIAm, especially twatbuckets

Costacoffeeplease · 22/06/2015 09:22

Post of the thread award to IknowIam